In a first, women in Kerala to drive govt vehicles

In yet another move towards gender equality, the Kerala government has decided to appoint women drivers in government offices and public-sector establishments.

A cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, took the decision which would end the decades-long monopoly of men in this sector. Women are appointed as drivers as part of the government's decision to ensure gender equality in all walks of society, according to an official release here. “The cabinet has decided to induct women as drivers in government services and public-sector units. For this, the existing recruitment rules will be amended,” it said.

“Directions have been given to see that new laws are framed to make drivers' posts in Kerala government and state PSUs gender neutral. This has been done based on the government's policy of following gender neutrality in all sectors,” said the statement.

Incidentally, in Kerala women do drive private buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws and ambulances but this is the first time that women will be appointed to drive government vehicles.